Medical Staff Office

Through its volume and diversity, the Program in Women's Oncology at Women & Infants Hospital provides the fellows with broad exposure to gynecologic malignancies. Ample opportunity for performing radical pelvic surgery and managing GI, urologic, and vascular problems caused by gynecologic cancer, or its treatment, is present during this three-year fellowship. Most importantly, the experience of selecting the appropriate treatment to recommend to patients, based on the nuances of their specific disease, is provided.

Experience in both outpatient and inpatient chemotherapy is another strength of the program. The fellow is completely integrated into the team which plans and implements these treatments. Since the outpatient chemotherapy unit is located proximate to the clinic, the environment is designed to foster spontaneous discussions and participation in treatment in a culture concerned with quality-of-care and quality-of-life.

The program provides an environment for acquiring leadership skills in gynecologic oncology and women's health. As the center of an integrated cancer network, substantial resources and educational opportunities exist through Brown University teaching hospitals and other affiliate institutions. In the past, our fellows completed an additional year which included a breast fellowship. While no longer mandatory, after completion of the three-year gynecologic oncology fellowship, fellows will have the option of an additional year in which to complete a breast fellowship.

The gynecologic oncology program participates in a fully approved residency program in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as all the relevant disciplines at the The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. The systems for clinical care and education have been well established and are effective for all concerned – including the teaching of residents and medical students. Brown University and its affiliated hospitals offer capabilities for complex research, and the program's high patient and surgical volume allows fulfillment of a comprehensive educational mission. Our health care model has led us to become the region's oncology leader with a bright and compelling future.

The umbrella of comprehensive women's oncology services provides a continuum of care with many dimensions including:

A multi-disciplinary team of physicians which functions as a health care model convening weekly in the open forum, Tumor Board.

Five board-certified and two board-eligible gynecologic oncologists, and three medical oncologists.

An excellent medical and support staff working in state-of-the-art facilities.

A broad array of treatment options including the latest cancer research protocols.

On-site tumor registry and data management.

An outpatient chemotherapy and IV treatment unit.

A dedicated research division housed in the Department of Ob/Gyn available to support fellow and resident research.

Oncology social workers, nurse practitioners, nurse navigators, nutritionists, and pharmacists on-site and integrated as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

A humanistic decision making program managing home care and hospice services.

One palliative care physician who is integral to our inpatient care and who provides invaluable teaching to our fellows during dedicated palliative care clinics.

Ongoing cutting-edge basic and translational research. The program is a national leader in industry and cooperative group trials (NRG, etc.).

Participation in a video-linked Molecular Tumor Board with other centers around the country where complex cases are reviewed and potential targeted therapies discussed.

Nationally recognized integrative care program including therapeutic massage, acupuncture, meditation, art therapy, and animal companionship during chemotherapy and in follow-up.

An Oncology Rehabilitation Program that includes physical therapists, occupational therapists and lymphedema certified specialists.

The Women & Infants' Telemedicine Network ("Virtual Presence"): an interactive video conference linkage between the oncology program, the hospital conference rooms, and a network of hospitals in New England who look to us for leadership in cancer care.

Poetry, art, performance art, and much more.

A broad political and "real-world" (e.g. business, economic, cultural) view of health care is also taught, offering fellows a perspective on the rapidly changing world of health care.

The program is constantly developing new relationships with allied institutions, services and physicians to build a sustainable sphere of influence. The vision encompasses a multi-institutional, integrated cancer network covering a wide, tri-state geographic region. Utilizing various means of outreach and the video conferencing network, still, the hub for cancer expertise will always be with "us" here in Providence. Program administration designed as a physician led "service-line" is employed to foster a comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer program for women. Fellows gain experience in administering such programs to assure a leadership role in more than clinical care in their future positions.

Finally, questions of ethics and philosophy are central to every day functioning in women's oncology. The values of relationship-centered care are learned and appreciated by all.

The deadline for completed applications is April 1, 2019 with those applicants being considered for the start date of July 1, 2020. Interview invitations will be sent out Monday, April 23, 2019. For questions, please contact Debra Mallon at dlmallon@wihri.org.